| Students run off holiday calories | ||||||||||
Reporter TEMPLETON — Templeton Center and Baldwinville Elementary students ran and walked off their Thanksgiving calories a day early during the Turkey Trot on Wednesday morning. Templeton Center students in kindergarten and first grade ran four laps around the baseball/soccer field. Baldwinville students in grades three and four ran two laps around the school. All students and staff walked downtown immediately after. Parents and teachers at Templeton Center School cheered on students as they ran by. Justin Baumann, whose first-grade son, Jordan, 7, ran the Trot, said it’s a good event to bring the community together at Templeton Center. He said it showcases small-town life. “I cheered him on and told him to run faster and hurry up,” Mr. Baumann joked. “He was losing.” Jordan received a sticker as a reward for each lap he ran. His wife, Cambri, said she’s surprised at the show of support. About 50 parents were on the sidelines, holding coffee cups in their hands. “It’s a good thing that so many parents are able to come to support their kids,” Ms. Baumann said. She said Jordan didn’t practice for it, but he runs during recess daily. Sixth-grader Olivia Basil, 6, said she ran nonstop, although she wasn’t panting, at Templeton Center. “I thought it was cool and so much fun,” Olivia said. “We got to eat doughnuts after.” George Fichter cheered on his first-grade daughter, Mikayla, 6, at Templeton Center. “I thought it was a fantastic event,” Mr. Fichter said. “It’s a good way to get kids pumped up for the holiday.” Mr. Fichter said Mikayla didn’t practice for it, but she runs around the house. Event organizer Garth Weiderman, behavioral specialist at Templeton Center, said the Turkey Trot isn’t timed. “It is for fun and to give the students experience in running a race,” Mr. Weiderman said. “This prepares them for the competitive Turkey Trot at Baldwinville.” According to physical education teacher Ritchie Lunn at Baldwinville Elementary School, third-grade winners were Charlie Collaro, Jake O’Day, Hunter Barlow, Emily Kilbury, Ella Swanson and Alaina Gallagher. |
Monday, November 30, 2015
Students run off holiday calories
Dig a Well -Water Rate Increase...Again
Water Rate Increase...Again
Templeton Water Usage Rates:
Rates Effective 11/18/2015:
Quarterly Charge: $59.29 per Bill
Tier I: 0 to 12,500 gallons - $7.74 per 1,000 gallons
Tier II: 12,500 to 25,000 gallons - $8.59 per 1,000 gallons
Tier III: 25,001+ gallons - $9.62 per 1,000 gallons
Annual service charge of $237.16 will be billed quarterly @ $59.29
The irrigation meters shall NOT be charged the quarterly customer charge.
All Water Meters are read in February, May, August & November.
All Water Accounts are billed in March, June, September & December
Rates Effective 11/18/2015:
Quarterly Charge: $59.29 per Bill
Tier I: 0 to 12,500 gallons - $7.74 per 1,000 gallons
Tier II: 12,500 to 25,000 gallons - $8.59 per 1,000 gallons
Tier III: 25,001+ gallons - $9.62 per 1,000 gallons
Annual service charge of $237.16 will be billed quarterly @ $59.29
The irrigation meters shall NOT be charged the quarterly customer charge.
All Water Meters are read in February, May, August & November.
All Water Accounts are billed in March, June, September & December
Why ask Why?
david smartNovember 28, 2015 at 12:30 PM
Why trust the people who have stumbled through this process to tell us it's the only place we can put it. There's more land and as Mrs. Matson said at town meeting we can use eminent domain to expand if we need to.
Little or no work to the roads would be needed and no big building to take down. Would that be a problem for some looking to make money on the new school project? Just think a school 1 story and fields to play on without the disruption of school.
Construction area needed unlike Templeton center and cost control much better than the TC site.
Why didn't the land in Otter River get another look?
The MSBA said the school wouldn't fit there?
Why will it fit in Templeton center on half the land?
If the MSBA is like the rest of our government in charge were in for the ride to the poor house.
If no land is OK.
No Bond rate is OK
No parking is OK
No field to play on is OK
No school to go to is OK
You need to ask yourself is that OK
NO to all the above!
Saturday, November 28, 2015
Concern over Casella landfill continues in Southbridge,Charlton, Sturbridge
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Concern over Casella landfill continues in Southbridge,Charlton, Sturbridge
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Posted Nov. 26, 2015 at 6:28 PM
Updated at 12:12 PM
Controversy concerning the Southbridge landfill persists, most recently because of the presence of contaminants in nearby residential wells in Charlton.
The landfill's operator, Casella, and the Southbridge health director have each said that the landfill is not the source.
Debate could grow hotter during a public forum to be held by the Sturbridge Board of Health 6:30 p.m. Monday at Sturbridge Town Hall.
The meeting aims to discuss “the danger the Southbridge landfill and its proposed expansion pose” to Southbridge, Sturbridge and Charlton.
The Southbridge landfill is in proximity to Charlton and Sturbridge.
According to a statement by the town of Sturbridge, Casella has requested permission to expand the landfill’s disposal area by more than 32 acres by building new landfill cells atop full, closed landfill cells, and building new landfill cells on undeveloped land. This would result in 4.4 million additional tons of waste buried in Southbridge and Charlton during the next 11 years, Sturbridge officials said.
The Sturbridge statement urges attendance from residents and town officials from all three communities, as well as representatives from the Department of Environmental Protection and other state agencies.
The itinerary calls for Sturbridge Board of Health Chairwoman Linda Cocalis to summarize the history of odor and other nuisances, and the range of chemicals found in gas, surface water, groundwater and home well testing.
Kirstie L. Pecci, staff attorney at MASSPIRG in Boston, will present an overview of Casella’s proposal, and the procedure required to expand the site.
In an interview, Ms. Pecci said residents asked the board to hold a forum because "there wasn’t any way for citizens from Southbridge, Sturbridge and Charlton to get together and ask officials from each community and the state questions about what was happening with the landfill.
Since that time, she said, detection of harmful contaminants in home wells in Charlton "has put into focus the landfill contamination - which we’ve all known was inevitable - has begun to leak from the landfill."
In a statement, John Farese, general manager of the Southbridge landfill, said:
"As a member of the community, we will be responsive to any questions that arise at that meeting as we always are, and hope that the discussion focuses on the public health protections offered by the state’s strict regulation of landfills and the science and data behind the safe operation of the Southbridge landfill in particular. As responsible stewards of the environment, Casella has been and will continue to operate the Southbridge landfill with the greatest commitment to the well-being of our neighbors and in full compliance with the state’s environmental protection laws and regulations."
An "executive summary" provided by a Casella spokesman asserted that several independent and consistent lines of evidence using data from the landfill and a well-water testing program suggest 1,4-dioxane and CVOC detections in residential wells along H. Foote Road in Charlton do not appear related to the landfill.
The Casella statement said the company will take additional steps in the coming months to further demonstrate that the contamination is not related to the landfill.
Child rape alleged in Templeton
| Child rape alleged in Templeton Former town resident accused of assaulting girl who was younger than 10 |
| Damien Fisher News Staff Writer TEMPLETON A Leominster man has been ordered held on $5,000 cash bail after he was charged with raping a young child in Templeton. Ryan P. Button is charged with three counts of aggravated rape, and one count of open and gross lewdness for the abuse he allegedly perpetrated on the child while he lived in Templeton between August of last year and October of this year, according to court records. The alleged victim is under the age of 10. Mr. Button was arraigned Friday on the charges in the Winchendon District Court in Gardner and was initially ordered held without bail. On Wednesday, his bail was set at $5,000 cash and he has been ordered to have no contact with the victim, the victim’s family, and be monitored by a GPS unit if he does post bail. Police went to court seeking a warrant on Nov. 13 after the abuse allegations came to light. In an interview with police, the victim reportedly said that Mr. Button wanted to keep his abuse secret. “He told her this is a secret and don’t tell anyone because if (the child) did he could get in big trouble,” Templeton Police Officer Brian Rosengren wrote in his report. |
Friday, November 27, 2015
#6 Concerns about the proposed elementary school
Concerns about the proposed elementary school *
6) The school is being built with no playing field. It eliminates a field regularly used for gym, recess and field days. It is also used by soccer and softball teams and for pick-up games by children and adults in town. The field is also a crucial component - providing parking for the Templeton Arts and Crafts fair- which raises thousands of scholarship dollars every year for local students.
* from 11/9/15 town meeting handout .
6) The school is being built with no playing field. It eliminates a field regularly used for gym, recess and field days. It is also used by soccer and softball teams and for pick-up games by children and adults in town. The field is also a crucial component - providing parking for the Templeton Arts and Crafts fair- which raises thousands of scholarship dollars every year for local students.
U.S. Senate Passes Bill Approving Mandatory Vaccinations for Veterans
U.S. Senate Passes Bill Approving Mandatory Vaccinations for Veterans
It is believed that those who refuse will, under this Bill, lose their medical benefits.
Biological warfare can take a number of forms. The question—how can you get a bacteriological or toxic agent on board without the target being alerted—has been asked and answered. In addition to using humans and animals as vectors, biological warfare agents can be airborne, waterborne, foodborne or put into pharmaceuticals.
Substantial concerns have been
voiced concerning the potential for inserting bioweapons into vaccines.
Indeed, given the history of known contaminated vaccines, this is hardly
a matter of speculation. Polio vaccines have been found to contain
cancer. A Merck rotavirus vaccine was found to be contaminated with a
pig virus. Another Merck product, the Hepatitis B vaccine, was reported
to have been laced with the AIDS virus. In addition, a tetanus vaccine
distributed in the third world was found to contain human chorionic
gonadotrophin, an anti-fertility agent known to produce spontaneous
abortions.
A Bill has just passed the U.S. Senate, mandating that the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs ensure that all veterans receive immunizations (vaccines) per a draconian schedule. At this juncture, active military must receive over a dozen vaccines. This piece of legislation is therefore an effort to extend the vaccine mandate to those who have previously served their country.
Sec. 101 of Senate Bill 1203, named the 21st Century Veterans Benefits Delivery Act, states that the Department of Veterans Affairs will be tasked with the mandate to…
ensure that veterans receiving medical services under chapter 17 of title 38, United States Code, receive each immunization on the recommended adult immunization schedule at the time such immunization is indicated on that schedule.The schedule referred to above is frankly staggering. Over 90 vaccines are listed.
The issues here are legion. First of all, an entire group of individuals, those who at one time were in military service, will lose their inherent right to opt out of receiving what is considered prophylactic treatment. According to Anita Stewart, who served in the Air Force and now hosts Wise Women Media radio show, “This could include experimental vaccines or vaccines that have not been tested.”
It is believed that those who refuse will, under this Bill, lose their medical benefits.
Health Risks of Water Fluoridation Raise Concerns
Health Risks of Water Fluoridation Raise Concerns
Air Date: Week of November 20, 2015
stream/download this segment as an MP3 file
About two-thirds of Americans have fluoridated tap water. (Photo: jenny downing, Wikimedia Commons CC BY 2.0)
Two-thirds of Americans have tap water with added fluoride, thought to help prevent tooth decay, but research has raised questions about the additive’s safety. Host Steve Curwood examines the science around fluoride’s health effects and hears from eco-activist Laura Turner Seydel about potential, under-reported risks and measures the public can take for protection.
Transcript
CURWOOD: It's Living on Earth, I'm Steve Curwood. For years anyone who questioned the safety of adding fluoride to the public water supply was seen as fringe and anti-science. Since shortly after World War II, fluoride has been added to water here in the US to help strengthen children’s teeth, and today it comes out of the taps in about two thirds of America’s households. But recently water fluoridation has come under closer scrutiny from science, and about 97 percent of tap water in Europe is now fluoride-free. Activists say it is time the US took similar steps. Topical fluoride in the form of toothpastes and rinses seems to be effective in combatting tooth decay, but studies now indicate swallowing fluoride with every drink of water could interfere with neurological development and thyroid function. Dr. Steven Peckham of the University of Kent published a paper on the association between fluoridated water and underactive thyroid, or hypothyroidism, earlier this year.PECKHAM: We looked at the levels of hypothyroidism in general practice populations across England, and found an association or a risk, of higher levels of hypothyroidism in practices in fluoridated areas.
Stephen Peckham led a study on the association
between water fluoridation and hypothyroidism in the U.K. that was
published earlier this year. (Photo: University of Kent)
GRANDJEAN: We looked at more than 20 studies from China where they had compared children exposed to high fluoride content in the water and low. And on the average, the difference in performance among those kids was seven IQ points. That’s a sizable difference. And obviously some of the kids have been exposed to substantial fluoride concentrations in water, some of them were just a little bit above what’s common in this country and, therefore, I find that evidence very worrisome, and we need to follow up and determine if there is any risk in regard to fluoride exposure under US conditions.
CURWOOD: The US Centers for Disease Control maintains that water fluoridation helps to prevent cavities. But the Cochrane Collaboration, a global network of doctors and researchers who analyze science to improve public health, suggests the evidence is not so clear. The group found earlier this year that only three studies since 1975 have established credible links between fluoridated water and cavity prevention. Again, Dr. Peckham.
Dental fluorosis is pitting and discoloration of
tooth enamel, and can be caused by drinking fluoridated water. In the
U.S., dental fluorosis affects about 40% of children age 12-15. (Photo:
National Institutes of Health, public domain)
Thursday, November 26, 2015
Wednesday, November 25, 2015
Actress Susan Sarandon Lends Voice To Pipeline Fight
| Actress Susan Sarandon Lends Voice To Pipeline Fight |
ATHOL — Oscar winning actress and activist Susan Sarandon has joined with land trusts, community groups, local landowners, and citizens to take a stand against the Tennessee Gas pipeline that has been proposed to run across Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and New York. In a statement released today, Sarandon urged support for a coalition of grassroots groups including Mount Grace Land Conservation Trust, Pipe Line Awareness Network for the Northeast (PLAN-NE), and the Mass Power Forward Coalition who are leading challenges to the proposed pipeline. “At a time when religious leaders around the world are calling attention to climate change, the 400-mile pipeline would come at the expense of our environment by cutting across ecologically sensitive areas and spanning forests, farms, and neighborhoods along its route,” Sarandon said. Sarandon’s statement arrives as the Massachusetts Legislature contemplates a bill to convey an easement through the Spectacle Pond section of Otis State Forest to Tennessee Gas. Article 97 of the Massachusetts Constitution, which guarantees that "The people shall have the right to clean air and water,” requires a two-thirds vote of both the House and Senate to allow land already protected by the state or towns to be used for non-conservation purposes. More than 100 parcels of Article 97 land, including Spectacle Pond, are potentially impacted by Tennessee Gas. “Strategic conservation investments and beloved places of natural beauty are threatened by this unnecessary and oversized proposed pipeline,” said Mount Grace Executive Director Leigh Youngblood. “It is important for everyone to speak up so that cherished public conservation lands are not sacrificed for inappropriate and outdated infrastructure projects. Mount Grace thanks Susan Sarandon for bringing more attention to this project at such a critical time.” |
Technological Glitch In Templeton
| Technological Glitch In Templeton Workers see their reliance on systems when phones and Internet go down | |||||
Reporter TEMPLETON Dependent on technology – that’s the sentiment of staff during a daylong telephone and Internet outage at Town Hall on Monday morning. According to interim Town Administrator Robert T. Markel, 18 people throughout 11 offices were affected. Town Administrator and Board of Selectmen Senior Assistant Holly A. Young posted an announcement on the town website shortly after 8 a.m. “The Internet and phones are down at Town Hall,” Ms. Young wrote. “Comcast is working on the issue, and we expect to be back online later this afternoon. All offices here are open until at least 3 p.m. today, so please stop in, if you need to.” Mr. Markel said the outage made him realize how dependent people are on technology, especially since Internet systems don’t fail on a regular basis. He doesn’t remember an outage occurring since he began employment in February 2014. He worked off a hotspot with his personal cellular phone and personal laptop. “I threw my laptop in my briefcase this morning,” Mr. Markel said. “Fortunately, I did bring it. Otherwise, I’d be sitting here twiddling my thumbs.” Mr. Markel explained he wouldn’t have otherwise been able to hold budget meetings with his department heads. They sent him electronic copies of budget requests, he said. |
Tuesday, November 24, 2015
The Purr-fect Present
| The Purr-fect Present Longtime animal advocate donates $15,000 in his will to help cats | ||||||||||
Reporter TEMPLETON The late Arthur Rowe, of Gardner, donated $15,066 in his will to the Ahimsa Haven Animal Rescue, the largest donation the shelter has ever received. As a result of the cat lover’s generous donation, the shelter will expand its space. Executive Director Marjorie Twiraga Sargent, of Ashburnham, said the shelter is in the process of getting permission from the town to place a 500-square-foot modular building on the property, leased from the town. That amounts to double the square footage, enough to add space for 20 cats, Ms. Sargent said. The space will house cats that don’t have their shots yet or that aren’t ready to be adopted or brought to a foster home. “I cried when I saw the check,” Ms. Sargent said. “I said, ‘Wait a minute. Am I reading this right?’ I was so dumbfounded and speechless that I took a picture.” Mr. Rowe’s daughter, Jenine Vindice, of Wilmington, said the nine-year Gardner resident, who died on Feb. 3 at 69 years old, was a lifelong animal supporter and advocate. He had up to eight cats in his home at one point and often fed and adopted stray cats, she said. Ms. Vindice personally distributed the funds to the places he designated. He also donated to Care for Gardner Animals. “My dad left many bequests to charity organizations,” Ms. Vindice said. “He wanted to make a difference in the lives of animals, and he supported the work of those who are the voice for animals.” Ms. Vindice said his legacy will live on, and he made this world a better place through his donation. Mr. Rowe was also a donor at the shelter while he was alive. Similarly, Ms. Sargent said the space expansion will do his memory justice. “Using the donation to increase the number of cats that we can service is in line with what he would have wanted,” Ms. Sargent said. Ms. Vindice said she can’t say enough about her dad and appreciates the opportunity to speak on his behalf. “He was extremely humble, and he never wanted any recognition for his generosity,” Ms. Vindice said. “In fact, I think he would be very shy about this article being written about him.” |
# 5 Concerns about the proposed elementary school
Concerns about the proposed elementary school *
5) On South Road especially, but also on Wellington Road, the large school would pose a significant hazard to residents trying to pull out of their driveways, and make it almost impossible for customers to stop at, or pull out of parking at the Templeton Country Store and other businesses.
* from 11/9/15 town meeting handout .
Hang Onto Your Wallets: Negative Interest, the War on Cash, and the $10 Trillion Bail-in
Hang Onto Your Wallets: Negative Interest, the War on Cash, and the $10 Trillion Bail-in
In
uncertain times, “cash is king,” but central bankers are systematically
moving to eliminate that option. Is it really about stimulating the
economy? Or is there some deeper, darker threat afoot?
by
Remember those old ads showing a senior couple lounging on a warm beach, captioned “Let your money work for you”? Or the scene in Mary Poppins
where young Michael is being advised to put his tuppence in the bank,
so that it can compound into “all manner of private enterprise,”
including “bonds, chattels, dividends, shares, shipyards, amalgamations .
. . .”?
That may still work if you’re a Wall Street banker, but if you’re an ordinary saver with your money in the bank, you may soon be paying the bank to hold your funds rather than the reverse.
Four European central banks – the European Central Bank, the Swiss National Bank, Sweden’s Riksbank, and Denmark’s Nationalbank – have now imposed negative interest rates on the reserves they hold for commercial banks; and discussion has turned to whether it’s time to pass those costs on to consumers. The Bank of Japan and the Federal Reserve are still at ZIRP (Zero Interest Rate Policy), but several Fed officials have also begun calling for NIRP (negative rates).
The stated justification for this move is to stimulate “demand” by forcing consumers to withdraw their money and go shopping with it. When an economy is struggling, it is standard practice for a central bank to cut interest rates, making saving less attractive. This is supposed to boost spending and kick-start an economic recovery.
That is the theory, but central banks have already pushed the prime rate to zero, and still their economies are languishing. To the uninitiated observer, that means the theory is wrong and needs to be scrapped. But not to our intrepid central bankers, who are now experimenting with pushing rates below zero.
That may still work if you’re a Wall Street banker, but if you’re an ordinary saver with your money in the bank, you may soon be paying the bank to hold your funds rather than the reverse.
Four European central banks – the European Central Bank, the Swiss National Bank, Sweden’s Riksbank, and Denmark’s Nationalbank – have now imposed negative interest rates on the reserves they hold for commercial banks; and discussion has turned to whether it’s time to pass those costs on to consumers. The Bank of Japan and the Federal Reserve are still at ZIRP (Zero Interest Rate Policy), but several Fed officials have also begun calling for NIRP (negative rates).
The stated justification for this move is to stimulate “demand” by forcing consumers to withdraw their money and go shopping with it. When an economy is struggling, it is standard practice for a central bank to cut interest rates, making saving less attractive. This is supposed to boost spending and kick-start an economic recovery.
That is the theory, but central banks have already pushed the prime rate to zero, and still their economies are languishing. To the uninitiated observer, that means the theory is wrong and needs to be scrapped. But not to our intrepid central bankers, who are now experimenting with pushing rates below zero.
Locking the Door to Bank Runs: The Cashless Society
The problem with imposing negative interest on savers, as explained in the UK Telegraph,
is that “there’s a limit, what economists called the ‘zero lower
bound’. Cut rates too deeply, and savers would end up facing negative
returns. In that case, this could encourage people to take their savings
out of the bank and hoard them in cash. This could slow, rather than
boost, the economy.”Monday, November 23, 2015
Gardner Residents Join Fight Against Drug Addiction Stigma
| Gardner Residents Join Fight Against Drug Addiction Stigma | ||||||||||
Reporter GARDNER — Gardner residents are standing together with the rest of the state against the negative stereotypes associated with drug addiction, calling for it to be seen as a disease. “I can’t tell you how many times I was called a junkie, a scumbag, a loser. We’re dealing with a sickness,” said Mike Duggan, founder of the Boston area organization Wicked Sober, which helps addicts seeking treatment. A large cohort of Gardner leaders and residents gathered outside City Hall Monday night to join a new state social media campaign aiming to eliminate stigma surrounding drug addiction. Michelle Dunn, who lost her daughter Alyssa to drug addiction in 2013, is the founder of the Assist Educate Defeat Foundation, located on Coleman Street, which like Wicked Sober seeks to help addicts in recovery. “Take a look around you and take a look at your neighbors; somehow they’ve been affected,” she said. Ms. Dunn said that addiction is a “chronic relapsing brain disease” and using drugs is a choice the first time, but “after that your brain becomes hijacked.” She added that addicts in recovery deserve compassion, saying they are “some of the strongest people I’ve ever met.” Mayor Mark Hawke said that showing compassion for drug addicts seeking recovery does not mean ignoring the need to hold them responsible for their actions. “We are not looking to give anyone a free pass, we’re looking to help those who are looking for recovery,” he said. The message against stigma is spreading on social media sites under the hashtag StateWithoutStigMA. Mr. Duggan is from Arlington and came to Gardner to speak to the crowd about his story. After suffering a sports injury in high school, he began to take prescribed Percocet for pain relief and became addicted, leading him to eventually abuse heroin because it was a “cheaper, alternative substance.” |
Winchendon Has Their New Leader
| Winchendon Has Their New Leader Hickey agrees to 3-year contract at $120,000 a year | |||||
News Staff Writer WINCHENDON WINCHENDON — The deal to bring Keith Hickey to Toy Town as the next town manager is now done after Tuesday’s successful negotiation of a three-year contract. Selectmen met with Mr. Hickey, currently the town manager for Salem, New Hampshire, agreeing to a three-year deal that will pay him a starting salary of $120,000 a year. Mr. Hickey said he will start work in Winchendon on Dec. 17, and he will commute from his home in Greenfield, New Hampshire, a town located in the Granite State’s Monadnock region and about a half-hour drive from Winchendon. The full contract was not released Tuesday night, but will be available as a public document in the coming days. Mr. Hickey has been traveling to Winchendon for years as his sons play hockey and have played games at the Winchendon School. He became attracted to the town from his trips for hockey and golf, and has been interested in Winchendon for some time. His attraction to the town was one of the selling points for the board. They also like his financial management background and experience. Starting as an accountant, Mr. Hickey has served as a municipal finance director before becoming a municipal manager. Winchendon is recovering from last year’s financial crisis that saw the town borrow close to $3 million to cover deficits. The town is expected to borrow another $550,000 to complete the deficit reduction. |
Heigh Ho, We Owe. Into Debt We Go !
Heigh Ho, We Owe. Into Debt We Go!
So before we go rushing off to add more debt on the town, let's take a look a bond ratings. At this time, the Town of Templeton does not have a bond rating.
IF Templeton had a bond rating of Aaa in 2019, the best rating there is, then we MIGHT, as in maybe, be able to borrow money at 3% interest. That scenario is highly unlikely BECAUSE:
No Bond Rating until the Audits are completed for FY 13, FY 14, and FY 15.
Incomplete books = No Audits.
No Audits = No Free Cash Certification.
And so it goes.
A more likely scenario, is that IF Templeton is able to borrow money, then it would be at the Baa rate in 2019 at 5 % interest...for 30 years...
The chart above shows projected revenue estimates based on 2.5 %
The school debt projection is different from the "official " story. The debt for the new school on this chart is $3.72/1,000 which is significantly higher than the information presented at the STM on November 9, 2015
The chart above does not take into account any unforeseen increases like the school department assaulting the Templeton's operating budget with the nuclear option. Where 4 NO votes by the registered voters in Templeton became a Yes vote.
Incomplete books = No Audits.
No Audits = No Free Cash Certification.
And so it goes.
A more likely scenario, is that IF Templeton is able to borrow money, then it would be at the Baa rate in 2019 at 5 % interest...for 30 years...
The chart above shows projected revenue estimates based on 2.5 %
The school debt projection is different from the "official " story. The debt for the new school on this chart is $3.72/1,000 which is significantly higher than the information presented at the STM on November 9, 2015
The chart above does not take into account any unforeseen increases like the school department assaulting the Templeton's operating budget with the nuclear option. Where 4 NO votes by the registered voters in Templeton became a Yes vote.
******************************************
Hang Onto Your Wallets: Negative Interest, the War on Cash, and the $10 Trillion Bail-in
In
uncertain times, “cash is king,” but central bankers are systematically
moving to eliminate that option. Is it really about stimulating the
economy? Or is there some deeper, darker threat afoot?
by
Meetings the Week of November 23, 2015
Meetings the Week of November 23, 2015
Meeting of Templeton, MA Board of Selectmen
Monday November 23, 2015 6:30 PM EST
Town Hall
160 Patriots Rd., East Templeton, MA 01438
Conference Room
Templeton Board of Selectmen
Town Hall, 160 Patriots Road, East Templeton
Monday, November 23, 2015,
6:30 p.m. Agenda 6:30 P.M.
Call to Order Pledge
Town Administrator Report
Minutes
Appointments~Joyce Grucan to CPC representing Housing Authority
Action on contracts-4 Elm Street
Action on Town Tree Lighting~Alan Mayo
Boot Drive Application~Narragansett Booster Club
Steve Castle~Update on Cable/School Agreement
Discuss Cafeteria Plan
Selectmen Comments
Vote to go into executive session & state whether the Board will reconvene in open session after the executive session has adjourned~ Per M.G.L. c.30A, Sec. 21.2, to conduct strategy sessions in preparation for negotiations with non-union personnel or to conduct collective bargaining sessions or contract negotiations with non-union personnel.
AND Per M.G.L. c. 30A, Sec. 21.3, to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining or litigation if an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining or litigating position of the public body and the chair so declares. Adjourn The listing of Agenda items is those reasonably anticipated by the Chair which may be discussed at the meeting. Not all items listed may in fact be discussed and other items not listed may also be brought up for discussion to the extent it is permitted by law.
THIS AGENDA IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE
Meeting of Templeton, MA Planning Board
Tuesday November 24, 2015 6:30 PM EST
Town Hall
160 Patriots Rd., East Templeton, MA 01438
MEETING NOTICE FOR TEMPLETON PLANNING BOARD
To be held at Town Hall 160 Patriots Road East Templeton, Ma. 01438
MEETING DATE: Nov.24, 2015, 6:30 PM
AGENDA SCHEDULED APPOINTMENTS:
06:30 Pledge of Allegiance
06:31 Erin Graham, Water Resources Engineer, Dept. of Conservation and Recreation, to Speak to the board about water needs and forecasting. __________________________________________ FORM(s) FOR SIGNATURE: DISCUSSION SUBJECTS: __________________________________________________________________________ NEW BUSINESS: _____________________________________________________________________________ PACKET CONTENTS: Planning Board Meeting Minutes of 10-27-15 for approval.
TIME FRAMES BUILDOUT / ENDORSEMENTS / 3 YR DEADLINE / EXTENSION / SECURITIES French Quarters 4/18/06 4/18/10 5/18/2016 Bond expires 5/18/16 STORM WATER ANNUAL INSPECTION APPROVAL DATE NEXT ANNUAL INSPECTION Fletcher Associates – Gravel Pit 10-13-2009 10-2016 (Hicks) Gavin Road – Gravel Pit 10-11-2011 10-2016 Radigan - Gravel Pit 03-27-2012 08-2016
Typed by: Carl Giacobone Subject to Change
Meeting of Templeton, MA Board of Selectmen
Monday November 23, 2015 6:30 PM EST
Town Hall
160 Patriots Rd., East Templeton, MA 01438
Conference Room
Templeton Board of Selectmen
Town Hall, 160 Patriots Road, East Templeton
Monday, November 23, 2015,
6:30 p.m. Agenda 6:30 P.M.
Call to Order Pledge
Town Administrator Report
Minutes
Appointments~Joyce Grucan to CPC representing Housing Authority
Action on contracts-4 Elm Street
Action on Town Tree Lighting~Alan Mayo
Boot Drive Application~Narragansett Booster Club
Steve Castle~Update on Cable/School Agreement
Discuss Cafeteria Plan
Selectmen Comments
Vote to go into executive session & state whether the Board will reconvene in open session after the executive session has adjourned~ Per M.G.L. c.30A, Sec. 21.2, to conduct strategy sessions in preparation for negotiations with non-union personnel or to conduct collective bargaining sessions or contract negotiations with non-union personnel.
AND Per M.G.L. c. 30A, Sec. 21.3, to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining or litigation if an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining or litigating position of the public body and the chair so declares. Adjourn The listing of Agenda items is those reasonably anticipated by the Chair which may be discussed at the meeting. Not all items listed may in fact be discussed and other items not listed may also be brought up for discussion to the extent it is permitted by law.
THIS AGENDA IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE
Meeting of Templeton, MA Planning Board
Tuesday November 24, 2015 6:30 PM EST
Town Hall
160 Patriots Rd., East Templeton, MA 01438
MEETING NOTICE FOR TEMPLETON PLANNING BOARD
To be held at Town Hall 160 Patriots Road East Templeton, Ma. 01438
MEETING DATE: Nov.24, 2015, 6:30 PM
AGENDA SCHEDULED APPOINTMENTS:
06:30 Pledge of Allegiance
06:31 Erin Graham, Water Resources Engineer, Dept. of Conservation and Recreation, to Speak to the board about water needs and forecasting. __________________________________________ FORM(s) FOR SIGNATURE: DISCUSSION SUBJECTS: __________________________________________________________________________ NEW BUSINESS: _____________________________________________________________________________ PACKET CONTENTS: Planning Board Meeting Minutes of 10-27-15 for approval.
TIME FRAMES BUILDOUT / ENDORSEMENTS / 3 YR DEADLINE / EXTENSION / SECURITIES French Quarters 4/18/06 4/18/10 5/18/2016 Bond expires 5/18/16 STORM WATER ANNUAL INSPECTION APPROVAL DATE NEXT ANNUAL INSPECTION Fletcher Associates – Gravel Pit 10-13-2009 10-2016 (Hicks) Gavin Road – Gravel Pit 10-11-2011 10-2016 Radigan - Gravel Pit 03-27-2012 08-2016
Typed by: Carl Giacobone Subject to Change
Sunday, November 22, 2015
Narragansett Vets Second Finalist
| Narragansett Vets Second Finalist Acushnet superintendent seeks top job | ||||||||||
ReporterTEMPLETON Narragansett Regional School District superintendent applicant Stephen R. Donovan met with about 15 teachers during his site visit in the Narragansett Regional High School library on Friday. The choice is down two final candidates, with Gardner School Business Administrator Chris Casavant having been informally interviewed on Monday. Mr. Donovan began his day at 9:30 a.m. at the central office, met the central office personnel, principals, visited the schools with interim Superintendent Dr. Stephen R. Hemman, and met with staff in the afternoon and met with parents and community members at night. Mr. Donovan has served as the Acushnet superintendent of schools since 2006. He earned a Doctor of Education in educational leadership from Northeastern University earlier this year. Teachers across the district had the opportunity to ask questions to Mr. Donovan. He, in turn, asked questions about their expectations of their new superintendent. He began the round-table discussion by introducing himself and talking about what draws him to the Templeton area. He said the position would provide him an opportunity to advance professionally. He said Acushnet is a rural community in southeastern Massachusetts with a smaller school district with about 975 students. Narragansett has about 1,300 students, he added. Since the commute would be an hour and a half, he said he would absolutely relocate. He joked that he likes to ski and Wachusett Mountain Ski Resort is nearby. Guidance counselor Krisann Stancombe asked about his plans to stay long-term. “No one wants to hire a superintendent who will leave in two years,” Ms. Stancombe said. “And how active in the student body will you be?” |
# 4 Concerns about the proposed elementary school
Concerns about the proposed elementary school *
* from 11/9/15 town meeting handout .
The reconfiguration of the traffic pattern one-way south on Wellington Road and north on South Road will funnel significantly more traffic into an already hazardous intersection and cause traffic flow problems throughout Templeton Common.
* from 11/9/15 town meeting handout .
Area police giving back
| Area police giving back Children will do holiday shopping with officers | ||
Reporter TEMPLETON The deadline for elementary-aged children to write an entry letter for next weekend’s Shop with a Cop program is this Saturday. Templeton and Phillipston patrolmen will shop with children to create a positive experience between local children and their police departments, just in time for the holidays. To be considered, applicants must send a brief letter, explaining for whom they would like to buy gifts for this season and why by Saturday, Nov. 21. Participants will be provided with a gift card for Walmart in Gardner to buy holiday presents for themselves and/or family members. The day will begin with children having lunch with a law enforcement officer in the Narragansett Regional High School cafeteria, followed by a law enforcement procession from the high school to Walmart and back. Saturday will conclude with patrolmen helping children to wrap their Christmas gifts. Selected participants will be notified via telephone. Contact information for parents/guardians should be included with the children's entry letter. The Shop with a Cop program is open to children in kindergarten to the sixth grade. Patrolman Nicholas Malnati, the event organizer, said Phillipston Police Officer Bill Chapman will conduct a presentation with his dog, Tessie, during lunch. There will be a surprise visit from a certain jolly man in red. But gifts aren’t specific to celebrating Christmas. Since children will give their own gifts, Hanukkah and gifts for other religious tradition would be appropriate. Mr. Malnati said it is a team effort. Children will do a ride-along in the cruiser. “Mostly, the entire department will be involved, except for the few officers whom are working their shift that day,” Mr. Malnati said. |
Little League Thief Charged With Failure To Pay Restitution
| Little League Thief Charged With Failure To Pay Restitution |
| Damien Fisher News Staff Writer GARDNER — The man who pleaded guilty to stealing more than $10,000 from the Templeton Little League is in trouble again, this time for allegedly failing to pay back the money he took. Peter R. Krejmas, 45, still owes the $9,575 in restitution and has reportedly not been keeping up with his payments. Court records show that Mr. Krejmas is being charged with violating his probation for failing to make $100 a month payments to the league. Mr. Krejmas was sentenced to two years’ probation in August 2011 after he pleaded guilty to one count of larceny more than $250 for reportedly defrauding the Little League. The Orange resident has been in and out of trouble with the law for years. The Templeton case revolves around a fence for the league that he never built after taking payment for the job, according to court records. Mr. Krejmas was hired in 2010 to build the fence for the league’s then-new field off Maple Street, according to court records. The league officials dealing with Mr. Krejmas cut him a check in September 2010, which he reportedly cashed within an hour, one league official told The Gardner News. |
Saturday, November 21, 2015
Thanksgiving comes a week early
| Thanksgiving comes a week early | ||||||||||||
Reporter TEMPLETON — Fifteen Templeton Lions Club members served a pre-Thanksgiving lunch to 75 seniors at the Otter River Sportsman’s Club on Thursday. According to Lions Club Member Dennis O’Brien, club members cooked the free meal, which consisted of turkey, mashed potatoes, string beans, stuffing, cranberry sauce, bread, and pumpkin pie while Lions Club members served drinks and dessert. Senior Audrey Flaglier, 72, said she doesn’t know how to put their compassion into words. “It’s wonderful that people give of their time for no other reason, just to be kind,” Ms. Flaglier said. “Time doesn’t cost anything. It means a lot. It’s something money can’t buy. To me, that’s priceless.” Ms. Flaglier called the meal “a real gift” and a “wonderful service given to the senior community.” She will spend Thanksgiving Day with an elderly woman, Lou, in her own home, and she will have Thanksgiving dinner with her son, Michael. Ms. Flaglier said she is very thankful. She ate everything in the meal, which she called “delicious.” Raymond Watt, 82, said the venue is a brighter and livelier atmosphere since the club was renovated. “Every year, the people act a little slower, but they look happy, at any age,” Mr. Watt said. “It’s wonderful that we can gab and see old friends. The Lions Club does a wonderful job.” Ginette Levesque, 74, said she and her husband, Gerald, registered through the Senior Center early. The luncheon was sold-out. “I hope the elderly in town appreciate what the Lions Club has done for them,” Ms. Levesque said. “It’s a lot of work for them to put this on.” Ms. Levesque called meeting new people at the luncheon “an experience.” John Whipple, 75, said it’s nice to have a home-cooked meal. “I don’t cook,” Mr. Whipple said. “I always go out to eat. It’s even better (this year) since my wife, Jannet, 77, died this September.” Mr. Whipple said he’s known some people at the dinner table his whole life and he met others at the senior center. Mr. O’Brien said although the Thanksgiving lunch is the only event the Lions Club does for seniors, the club also donates eyeglasses and hearing devices. |
Templeton School Project Advances
| Templeton School Project Advances |
| Tara Vocino Reporter TEMPLETON The Massachusetts School Building Authority on Wednesday approved a grant of up to $22.9 million for the new Templeton Center Elementary School, predicated on passage of the ballot vote on Dec. 8. The School Committee met in the high school’s Kiva on Wednesday to provide a full report from the Boston meeting, held earlier in the day. Interim Superintendent Dr. Stephen R. Hemman said the money is guaranteed, provided that the town votes in favor in the ballot vote on Tuesday, Dec. 8. The special election for the $24.8 million Proposition 2 1/2 debt exclusion tax override will be held in the Narragansett Regional High School auditorium. “We’ve had a very positive response, especially considered we were in the running prior to 2007,” Mr. Hemman said. “We’re excited about the next step. It’s important that we get the information out for voters to come out and vote.” School Committee Chairwoman Rae Ann Trifilo said they are pleased with Wednesday’s approval and they are hopeful that the community will vote. “We’ve gotten three extensions in eight years,” Ms. Trifilo said. “That’s impressive. MSBA is really dedicated to our community.” Board of Selectmen Chairman John Columbus, Town Administrator Bob Markel, Ms. Trifilo and Mr. Hemman spoke in favor at the Boston meeting. Architect Alex Pitkin, of Symmes, Maini, and McKee Associates, met with a concerned neighbor about traffic concerns Wednesday. “There was a misconception that land will be taken away,” Mr. Pitkin said. “But that’s certainly not the case. It’s a change in the neighborhood.” Mr. Pitkin said Templeton is fortunate to receive Wednesday’s grant, as there multiple communities lined up. “It’s a big deal,” he said. Colliers International Project Manager Tim Alix said great news came out of the meeting. “The community-at-large is fortunate to receive significant funding,” Mr. Alix said. State Treasurer and MSBA Chairman Deborah B. Goldberg said the new school will provide a 21st-century learning environment for area students. “Our goal is to create the best space to deliver the district’s educational commitments and goals,” Ms. Goldberg said. If the debt exclusion passes, the cost to the taxpayers will be $1.74 per $1,000 of value for 28 years starting in 2019, which translates to $261 annually for a $150,000 house, or $174 for a $100,000 house. The new 92,735-square-foot school will be built for a student body of 580 students in kindergarten through grade 5. The MSBA will contribute 63.11 percent of eligible costs toward the project, for a total grant of up to $22.9 million. The existing school was built in 1942 and suffers from deficiencies in major building systems, including mechanical, electrical, plumbing and windows. MSBA Chief Executive Officer Maureen Valente said the school will replace an aging building with a modern learning facility. “Students will soon have a beautiful new space, which will undoubtedly enhance and improve their ability to excel in the classroom,” Ms. Valente said. The MSBA works with Massachusetts communities to support the design and construction of educationally appropriate, flexible, sustainable and cost-effective public school facilities. Since its 2004 inception, the MSBA has made more than 1,650 site visits to more than 250 school districts as part of its due diligence process, and it has made more than $11.7 billion in reimbursements for school construction projects. Mr. Hemman encouraged parents to come to a meet-and-greet with superintendent candidate Stephen R. Donovan on Friday, Nov. 20, from 2 to 4:30 p.m., in the high school library, and from 6:30 to 9 p.m. in the Kiva. The School Committee also voted to approve fundraising for a schoolwide Cuba trip, possibly in June 2016 or February 2017. The trip has three students (two are seniors) who have committed to go, but host and teacher Steven Latorre hopes to have at least 12 students. The trip is also open to parents and teachers. Ms. Trifilo said the committee approved to solicit interest and to raise funds, but they will hold off approving the trip until they see January fundraising and interest. School Committee member Margaret Hughes said they want to make sure students’ time is put to good use. “I don’t want them to go in thinking, ‘I put in all this work, and the trip falls through,’” Ms. Hughes said. “It seems like you put in a lot of thought into it.” If the trip falls through, the funds will revert back to the International Club.
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